A GP from Poynton who was left devastated when she had to pull out of competing in the Great Manchester Run created her very own 10k the following weekend - raising hundreds of pounds in the process.
Dr Elizabeth Eales, a GP at Middlewood Partnership, had been looking forward to the race day, having put in the miles with early morning practice runs and completing the Couch to 5k.
Elizabeth was aiming to complete the 10k after she admitted she hadn't touched her trainers in years. But, as like so many who needed ‘headspace’ during the Covid-19 pandemic, the 40-year-old “was attracted to the stress-relief when the weeks were challenging”.
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Before too long ten minute runs turned into a routine until Elizabeth was geared up for the Great Manchester Run 10k race, until a chest infection had her bedridden on the day of the event (June 21).
“It was a disaster - I was so disappointed to have to pull out of the race.
“As you can imagine, work was very stressful and challenging during lockdown. Overnight our work completely changed and it was hard working remotely. There was a level of risk everybody had to manage including a lot of concern for my elderly and vulnerable patients.
“I’d recommended running to so many patients but never actually done it myself - it helped my mental health during a really tough time in my life. I wanted this race to be a challenge but also to promote how exercise can help in multiple ways.”
Disappointed but undeterred, Elizabeth that following weekend ran her own 10k where she lives in Poynton.
She completed her home run in 1 hour 14 minutes, welcomed by her two daughters, Beatrice, 9, and Anna, 7, who even made a special finish line as she crossed the driveway.
Elizabeth said: “Everyone has been so encouraging and supportive. It has been overwhelming how generous people have been. I’m really pleased about finishing considering I’d had a few weeks out of running due to being unwell. It wasn’t quite the Manchester 10k but it was still good fun.”
The hospice doctor, at Francis House Children’s Hospice, raised over £800 in sponsorship for the charity, which provides respite care and emotional bereavement support to the families of children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.
She said: “Remembering everyone's encouragement and generosity for the Hospice made me determined to finish.
“It is an absolute privilege to work at Francis House as one of the doctors and I’m always moved and inspired by the wonderful care they give to each and every child and young person, and their families.”
To find out more about Francis House visit www.francishouse.org.uk
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